Day Trips from Quito

Our most recommended Quito Day Trips From

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  1. Cotopaxi National Park & Quilotoa Full-Day Tour

  Depart by bus from through the Panamerican Highway admiring the diverse ecosystems of the route, as a clear sign of the majesty of the Andes. Continue to the Cotopaxi National Park, arriving at the foot of the impressive active volcano. Visit the Museum Park, the Limpiopungo Lagoon and and through an interesting hike will reach the forest of chuquirahuas to 4200 meters. (if the weather permits). See the Quilotoa Volcano. With a stunning turquoise lagoon in its crater, it's one of the most beautiful landscapes of Ecuador. Take a short hike to appreciate the magnificent view of the volcano (if weather conditions allow) and enjoy time for lunch at your own expense.

  Is was the highlight of my trip. Raul and Andres were punctual and very knowledgeable about every aspect of the trip. Andres was a great teacher and obviously loves what he does. He is an ideal guide.

  Reviewed by Jacob, 2/12/2020
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  2. Quilotoa Lagoon: Full-Day Tour from Quito

  Drive south from Quito to the Quilotoa area and visit its famous lagoon. Along the way, you'll admire the beautiful Andean landscape and stop at the Shalala viewpoint. Next, you'll visit the community viewpoint and descend to the lagoon. Once there, you'll have free time to hike and explore the area. You'll return on a path that connects the lagoon to the community viewpoint. It's an intense walk, so if you're not in good shape, simply climb on a mule that will pack you back to the viewpoint. After a lunch break, you'll also stop at a Tigua craft workshop, famous for its colorful products, and visit the Toachi's Canon.

  A group tour (4 other parties joined us on a Thursday), the tour picked us up from our airbnb, and we made a couple of special stops along the way to Quilotoa (bathroom and breakfast break, fruit stands to purchase fruit for our lunch), and the views to Quilotoa were amazing. Quilotoa itself was gorgeous, but my party didn't venture down to the bottom because of concerns of elevation sickness, so we chose the hike around the rim (still a strenuous but rewarding experience, my dad slid and fell a couple of times, no major injuries other than his pride). The varieties of flowers and animals around made for excellent pictures. We ended the tour with a nice meal at a local hostel and then a quiet ride back. Carlos (our guide) and Hector (our driver, but also a guide for us while we hiked the rim) were fantastic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Much recommended!

  Reviewed by Alexis, 9/3/2021
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  3. Otavalo and Imbabura Sightseeing Tour from Quito

  Depart Quito and journey towards the Guayllabamba valley to see the Quitsato Sundial in La Mitad Del Mundo, built to share the astronomical knowledge of the pre-Hispanic cultures of the region. Pass over the line of the equator and continue towards the largest indigenous market in South America. Shop for souvenir textiles and traditional crafts at the Mercado de Ponchos, where the locals sell tagua nut jewelry, fake shrunken heads, hand-painted trays, spices, spools of wool and other interesting items under mushroom-shaped umbrellas. Get back to nature at the Peguche waterfall, popular with the locals who go there to take a sacred bath on the eve of Inti Raymi. Continue towards the caldera lake of Cuicocha in the Cotacachi-Cayapas Reserve (excluding holidays) and get stunning views of the Cotacachi Volcano before driving back to Quito.

  Longer day than expected (12 hours vs. 10 in the description), but worth it! All the stops were great. Bring an extra duffle bag to fill with all the beautiful textiles from the market, you'll want to buy everything.

  Reviewed by Jennifer, Canada, 2/17/2020
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  4. Cotopaxi National Park Full-Day Tour from Quito

  Visit Cotopaxi National Park in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains. The park is home to the active Cotopaxi volcano that towers 19,642 feet above sea level. When you reach the park your naturalist guide will show you the exceptional variety of flora and fauna. Hike to the Limpiopungo lagoon, located on the slopes of the volcano. Stop at the lagoon for a short rest to take in the landscapes and the spectacular views of the volcano. Continue the hike to the Jose Ribas shelter and experience the environment at almost 16,000 feet above sea level.

  Very nice place to visit. It's very cold, you can see nice view. I definitely recommend it.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 4/17/2021
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  5. Mitad del Mundo & Horseback Ride at Pululahua Volcano

  This day tour combines a visit to the educational museum built on the equator, Mitad del Mundo, with a beautiful horseback ride through the Pululahua Crater.  In the morning, drive to the ranch where the horses are waiting. From the ranch, robust and amiable mountain horses will take us through the stunning landscape of this ancient volcanic crater – the biggest one on the whole American continent and one of only two inhabited craters in the world – with its constantly changing sceneries and huge biodiversity. While circling the central lava cone, witness volcanic history and nature, interesting geological formations, mineral avalanches blooming with wild orchids and traditional Andean agriculture.  The horseback riding time will be about 3 hours. Lunch with panoramic view over valleys and cloud forest covered mountains (lunch if option is selected). Afterwards, continue by car to the...

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  6. Mindo Cloud Forest Small Group Tour from Quito

  Benefit from pickup at your hotel in Quito, and then get stunning views of the Andes Mountains as you drive north-west to the unique Hummingbird Garden. See 10 to 20 different species of hummingbirds, depending on the season or time of the day, and try local tropical fruits. Take a 1-hour walk into the cloud forest to admire the diverse flora and fauna up close. Look for endemic species of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth as you encounter a series of beautiful streams and waterfalls.  Reach the protected Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve to experience the astonishing beauty of one of the highest biodiverse sites in the world. Avail of all the activities at your own expense, such as a zip line across the forest canopy, or rappelling down rocks.

  Exceptional small group tour with flexibility to choose from multiple activities. Unique animals and scenery!

  Reviewed by David, 3/4/2020
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  7. From Quito: Otavalo, Cotacachi & Cuicocha Full-Day Tour

  Escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Quito and discover the ease and beauty of the Ecuadorian countryside. Depart from Quito through the Pan-American North Highway via Cayambe. Passengers will have the opportunity to taste the delicious Bizcochos de Cayambe, a type of cracker or bread baked in a clay oven, greatly paired with local cheese or caramel sauce. Afterwards, make a brief stop at Miralago to admire a wonderful view of Lago San Pablo. The tour then continues to Otavalo where Otavaleños (natives) set up a market in which a bartering manner of shopping is taken place. The market hosts a variety of different handcrafted items. You may choose between staying in this area and enjoying more time at the market (a bus will pick you up at the end of the tour*), or you can continue the tour to visit Cotacachi and Cuicocha. If you continue the tour, journey to ...

  Our guide Dani and driver Hector were very pleasant, knowledgeable and fun. We had an amazing day thanks to these two gems!!! Thanks so much guys- we will always remember Ecuador in a special way because of you!!

  Reviewed by Lori, United States, 9/12/2021
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  8. Otavalo: Small Group Market Tour from Quito with Lunch

  Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Quito, and then journey by private vehicle towards the lively indigenous bazaar of Otavalo Market. Make brief stops at the village of Guayabamba and get an amazing view of San Pablo Lake and the surrounding landscape. Try some of the local biscochos (cookies) typical of the region along the way. Visit a weaving workshop in Peguche to learn about the handmade artisanal products and clothes typical of the region. Get back on the road to arrive at Otavalo Market and join the locals who come to sell their wares at the most spectacular market in Latin America. Buy unique souvenirs or just watch the hustle and bustle of the market vendors. Stop for lunch in the village of Cotacachi before making your way to the beautiful crater lake of Cuicocha at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano. Return to Quito at the end of a day full of activities and get dropp...

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  9. Quito: Middle of the World Tour with Tickets

  Begin your 3-hour tour in the northern part of Quito and head up to the middle of the city. This is where you will find the monument that stands on the line that divides the northern and the southern hemispheres. The Equatorial Monument was built during the 17th century when the precise dividing line between the hemispheres was defined by a French expeditionary team.

  Heidi our guide was fabulous! Excellent tour, just as advertised. Diego drove us safely to and from the equator. Great experience, not difficulties or problem. Taking the Grey Line was the best way to go.

  Reviewed by William, United States, 1/24/2020
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  10. Quito: Full-Day Ciudad Mitad del Mundo Tour

  Board the Quito Tour Bus on Avenida Naciones Unidas in the heart of Quito, and then depart the city in the early afternoon. Journey to the Geobotanical Reserve of the Pululahua Crater at the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo complex. Visit the new Beer Museum, see a miniature model that celebrates the architectural beauty of the Historic Center of Quito and more. Finally, you will visit the Agave Museum where you will have a tasting of this ancestral drink. Return to the start point in the evening.

  I always wanted to go to the centre of the earth and I am glad that I have accomplished this.

  Reviewed by Kubendra, 10/17/2019